The Times
It’s thirty-five years after George Orwell’s iconic novel “1984” was released and the graduating class of 1984 are wondering if Big Brother and the Thought Police were really watching all of us. As technology begins to take hold, the dystopian messages of 1984 didn’t seem that far away. In fact, Steve Jobs used Orwell’s feeling of discomfort to launch the 1984 Apple computer commercial directed by Ridley Scott. Jobs wanted his newest Mac personal computer to symbolize empowerment, against IBM, his idea of “Big Brother.”
10 years after forming, the theatrical hard rock band KISS got rid of their signature makeup and appeared on MTV daring to bare their faces. KISS makeup was originally created for the band to stand out and it worked in the 1970s, but by 1983 with their popularity waning, they decided to unmask as a way to revitalize interest in the band. And it worked!
Right before winter break, seniors and lower classmen heard the devastating news that Pete Townshend was leaving The Who! As Pete tells it, it had gotten too much after the death of Keith Moon, the fatal trampling of 11 fans at The Who’s concert in Cincinnati, his marriage was unraveling, and he needed to get clean from too many years of drinking and using hard drugs. Fans only had to wait 2 years to see The Who together again as they briefly reunited in 1985 at Live Aid.
The mockumentary film “This Is Spinal Tap” was released in March 1984 directed by Rob Reiner. The film centered on the fictional heavy metal band Spinal Tap, once deemed the loudest band in England, trying to make a comeback with a disastrous tour of America complete with exploding drummers and an amp that goes to “11!” Bands like Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Nirvana and U2 got the inside jokes, and it’s still a common insult for pretentious rock bands to be compared to Spinal Tap! Incredibly, the entire movie was improvised!!
Music and artists in 1984 were driven by a new MTV generation as the network was starting to take market share from local rock and pop radios stations. Record companies created entire video departments to handle the huge amount of work and money needed to produce these “short movies.” Michael Jackson was still at the top of the charts with Thriller, Prince released Purple Rain as both an album and a movie and Madonna told Dick Clark that she wanted to “Rule The World” on American Bandstand. Modern Rock was fused with New Wave for a new romantic synth-pop sound blending old and new music from hitmakers Van Halen, Culture Club, Bruce Springsteen, the comeback queen Tina Turner, Eurythmics and Duran Duran.
Notable Events (right click on links below to access video)
- Apple “1984” Commercial – Aired Dec 31, 1983 and January 22, 1984
- KISS Without Makeup For The First Time- MTV – September 18, 1983 – NYC
- This Is Spinal Tap – Released March 2, 1984
CONCERTS THAT CAME TO CORTLAND 1984
RAMONES
The May 5th, 1984 Spring Weekend concert at the Ice Arena was headlined by Ramones who likely began their set with the words “HEY HO, LET’S GO!” from Blitzkrieg Bop. Kicking off every song with their iconic “1, 2, 3, 4” Joey, Dee Dee, Johnny and Tommy Ramone played an astounding 2269 shows over 22 years. They established the American punk movement with just 3 chords, a manic tempo and a uniform of long hair, leather jackets, T-shirts, ripped jeans and sneakers. Even though they were one of the most popular touring bands, they never received significant commercial success.
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002, by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam, just one year after lead singer Joey Ramone had passed away.
Songs played in concert in 1984
“Blitzkrieg Bop”
“Rockaway Beach”
“Sheena Is A Punk Rocker”
“I Wanna Be Sedated”
“Rock n Roll High School”
CHEAP TRICK
Also booked for the Spring Weekend concert, these Midwest rockers bridged 60’s guitar pop with hard rock and punk rock. Although the band was formed in 1973, they didn’t get noticed until 5 years later when they played Budokan, Japan and were received by fans with a Beatlemania frenzy. Their “Cheap Trick at Budokan” double live album launched them into international fame for the next 50 years! Described as a fun-loving, mischievous, and cartoony band, they were also musically powerful, precise and one of the best hard rocking bands to see live. Their rock longevity has notably influenced Nirvana, Green Day and Pearl Jam.
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2016 by fellow Midwesterner, Kid Rock.
Songs played in concert in 1984
“Surrender”
“I Want You To Want Me”
“Dream Police”
“Ain’t That A Shame”
DAVID JOHANSEN
Rounding out Spring Weekend shows was a true New York rock and roll original. You may know him as the flamboyant lead singer of the 1970’s punk rock group, The New York Dolls, or the suave jazzy, pompadour-wearing lounge lizard known as Buster Poindexter. But for the 1984 concert, he was just David Johansen performing covers of some of his favorite songs mixed with originals. It seems that just being himself wasn’t what the fans wanted and in just a few short months the ever-so-cool Buster Poindexter would make his appearance.
Songs played in concert in 1984
“Personality Crisis” (New York Dolls Cover)
“We Gotta Get Out Of This Place/Don’t Bring Me Down/It’s My Life” (Animals medley)
“Sweet Revenge”
“Frenchette”
“Funky But Chic”
“Here Comes The Night”